Mock Draft 3.0

1. L.A. Clippers-Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma-Even for Mike Dunleavy, this is a no brainer.
2. Memphis Grizzlies-Hasheem Thabeet, C, Uconn-I just think Chris Wallace is too dumb to bait Minnesota into trading for the pick.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves-Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain-I think it takes the 6th pick and the 18th pick for Minnesota to get here. Minnesota gets what they want, and OKC gets an extra pick plus 1 of the 2 guys they want.
4. Sacramento Kings-Tyreke Evans-PG/SG, Memphis-It’s becoming very clear that Evans is the guy they want here. Now, if OKC stays at 3 and takes Harden, I think the Kings trade the 4th pick to Minnesota for the 6th and 45th pick. Minnesota then takes Rubio at 4 and Curry at 5 with Evans going 6th to the Kings.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves-James Harden-SG/SF, ASU-This would be a very difficult decision between Harden and Curry. If the ‘Wolves were to trade the 5th pick and not the 6th to move up to 3, then they would just take whoever is left between Curry and Harden. I give Harden the edge here because he can do more than Curry.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder-Steph Curry, PG/SG, Davidson-I think OKC wins either way, they like both Harden and Curry do they’ll be happy with whatever falls in their lap. Here it’s Steph Curry.
7. Golden State Warriors-Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona-Since Monta Ellis is running the Warriors, they take Hill here so Ellis can either run the point or maybe this.
8. New York Knicks-Brandon Jennings, PG, Europe-They love big names in New York and Jennings is exactly that. Obviously if Curry or Hill is here, they’d be at the podium instantly with the pick.
9. Toronto Raptors-Demar DeRozen, SG, USC-His relatively unimpressive college career doesn’t scare the Raptors.
10. Milwaulkee Bucks-Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse-They would love for someone to fall to them here, but the only possibility of that happening is Jennings who may not even be better than Flynn. I think they go with the proven Flynn over the underachieving Holiday.
11. New Jersey Nets-Terrence Williams, SF, L’ville-It looks like this is T-will’s ceiling and this is where he will be going. If the Nets don’t take him, the Bobcats will.
12. Charlotte Bobcats-Gerry Henderson, SG, Duke-They must be really looking to improve their D-League team.
13. Indiana Pacers-DeJuan Blair, PF/SF, Pitt-Indiana could use some toughness and without Jennings or Flynn available, I think they go for Blair.
14. Phoenix Suns-Earl Clark, PF, L’ville-It seems pretty clear that the Suns are taking Clark here unless someone unbelievable falls to this spot.
15. Detriot-Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga-I have the Pistons taking Tayshaun 2.0.
16. Chicago Bulls-James Johnson, PF, Wake-If Blair and Clark are gone, which they should be they’ll take Johnson
17. Philadelphia 76ers-Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA-Maynor is the most logical pick here, which means very little since this is the Sixers were talking about. When there are two comparable guys, the Sixers usually go with the “upside” guy, so here it’s Holiday. It should be a point guard regardless.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder-B.J. Mullens, C, OSU-This is the extra pick they get from Minnesota, so why not take a guy that is going to be a huge bust and hope he somehow is decent.
19. Atlanta Hawks-Ty Lawson, PG, UNC-The Hawks need a point guard and Lawson is less of a risk than Teague.
20. Utah Jazz-Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC-With some of the players they covet more already gone, I think they go with the ACC’s all-time leading scorer here.
21. New Orleans Hornets-Sam Young, SF, Pitt-He would come right in as a scoring option to help out CP3.
22. Dallas Mavericks-Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake-Dallas would be so happy if he fell to them at 22. Teague would give them a 3rd playmaker behind Dirk and Josh Howard.
23. Sacramento Kings-Toney Douglas, SG, FSU-After the John Salmons/Brad Miller heist, the kings desperately need guys that can put the ball in the basket. Douglas is a guy that is clearly a very good scorer. I’ve said before, but Douglass may end up being one of the biggest sleepers in this draft (think Gil Arenas with the craziness). He comes from a very athletic family; his brother is former L’ville WR Harry Douglas.
24. Portland Trailblazers-Eric Maynor, PG, VCU-If the Sixers pass on Maynor at 17, I think he falls all the way down here to the Blazers.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder-Marcas Thorthon, SG, LSU-Much like Sacramento with Martin, the Thunder need guys to score and help KD out. If they were to come away with Curry and Thorthon OKC’s offense could be as explosive as any in the NBA.
26. Chicago Bulls-Jodie Meeks, SG, UK-Another guy that can put the ball in the bucket and possibly a newer, smaller version of Ben Gordon, which they’ll need when Gordon bolts.
27. Memphis-Omri Casspi, SF,Isreal-Memphis doesn’t need a team of rookies so they take Casspi and keep him overseas.
28. Minnesota-Jonas Jerebko, SF, Sweden-Like Memphis, Minnesota only has so many spots on their roster, so I could see a foreigner going here.
29. L.A. Lakers-Patty Mills, PG, St Mary’s (CA)-I like Patty Mills and I think he’s going to be a very good NBA player, so naturally the team I hate most is going to take him. The Olympian Mills will be perfect for Kobe to ignore and yell at for no reason.
30. Cleveland Cavs-Derrick Brown, PF, Xavier-The Cavs need some toughness up front so Brown would supply that.

NBA Mock Draft Part 1: The lottery

Time for some real sports that people give a shit about.

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin-Forward, University of Oklahoma

This draft is almost identical to the 2007 draft. You have a can’t miss power forward from a Big 12 school, then you have a huge stiff center. I thought Kevin Durant over Greg Oden was a no brainer, but I guess it wasn’t. This pick has to be Blake Griffin. The Clippers are in a precarious position where they have Zach Randolph and Al Thorthon who play the same position as Griffin, and a coach that may not be able to juggle this crowded frontcourt.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Hasheem Thabeet-Center, Connecticut

This is without a doubt a need based pick. The Grizzlies have several guards so there is really no need to take a player like Ricky Rubio. Mark my words, this is a HUGE mistake. After watching Thabeet in the Big East for three seasons, it’s very clear what he is, a tall, soft, space eater with no offensive game. When thinking about taking Thabeet, Memphis should look at this or or this and take a real big man.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

Ricky Rubio-Point Guard, Spain

This is a draft where there seems to be a consensus top three, then everyone else. Rubio is in my opinion the 2^nd best player in this draft and despite them having Russell Westbrook, their 1^st round pick last year, the Thunder will not pass up on Rubio. From what I’ve read and heard, Rubio has a lot of Steve Nash in him.

4. Sacramento Kings

Johnny Flynn-Point Guard, Syracuse

Looking at the Kings roster, they seem pretty set in the front court with Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson and Donte Greene. Kevin Martin, their best player, is a shooting guard and needs someone to get him the ball with opportunities to score. Flynn’s a great athlete and a good passer so I feel like he’s the perfect fit for them. Demar Derozan would also be a popular pick here, however I can’t see them reaching that far for a guy that for being so highly touted, has shown nothing.

5. Washington Wizards

Stephen Curry-Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Davidson

Now I don’t know if there are enough basketballs to go around for Curry to play with Gilbert Arenas but I think this would be a huge attraction to bring basketball back in D.C. With Curry and Arenas they’d be able score a ton. I’d love to see this backcourt.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

I honestly cannot figure out what Minnsota is going to do here. They have a very good front court of the future with Love and Jefferson along with Corey Brewer. Some of the players they are working out make absolutely no sense at six. I’m going to say they trade down to eight.

New York Knicks

Jordan Hill-Power Forward, Arizona

The Knick love Steph Curry and would take him in certainly every scenario. Since he’s gone, I think they move up and grab another guy they’re taking a hard look at. I think Hill’s the pick here. When this guy plays to his capability, he’s a very good player (see NCAA tournament).

7. Golden State Warriors

Tyreke Evans-Point Guard, Memphis

I just feel like he fits great into their run and gun offense and they will not pass up on him here.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves (VIA NY Knicks)

James Harden-Shooting Guard, ASU

Harden’s free fall ends here with the Timberwolves. Harden is just too much talent to pass up there. Instead of taking Harden at 6, the Wolves added a few future picks and take him at 8.

9. Toronto Raptors

Demar DeRozen-Small Forward, USC

This is clearly the pick here. DeRozen is the only guy that has worked out for the Raptors. Here is a guy though, like former Raptor Vince Carter, who plays when he wants to play. DeRozen came into USC as one of the most highly touted prospects in the country, but only spent one disappointing year with the Trojans. This wouldn’t surprise me at all, considering Toronto’s tendency for head-scratching draft picks

10. Milwaulkee Bucks

Brandon Jennings-Point Guard, Italy

With Flynn almost certain to be gone, I see the Bucks going for the highest rated point guard left. I think this is a very easy pick for the Bucks to take the former Arizona recruit here.

11. New Jersey Nets

DeJuan Blair-Power Forward/Small Forward, Pitt

The Nets are hungry for toughness and rebounding and there is no one more equip to bring that to them than Big East Player of the Year and Naismith Finalist, DeJuan Blair. After going through the rigors of the draft workouts, the Nets are also getting a much slimmer Blair.

12 Charlotte Bobcats

Gerry Henderson-Shooting Guard, Duke

Another link in the chain of former Dukies with no NBA potential. When Henderson isn’t busy playing dirty or choking, he made his reputation as a pretty good dunker. Ask Rodney Carney about being a dunker that can’t shoot or play defense. The ‘Cats also have a long reputation for draft mistakes like taking this toolbag and not taking this guy. Good luck MJ, you may be the best player to touch a basketball, but as a GM you’re a lost cause.

13 Indiana Pacers

Jeff Teague-Shooting Guard, Wake

I honestly have no idea what the Pacers do here. They were in the playoff hunt for a while last year until Danny Granger got hurt. They have one scorer in Granger, and not much else. I feel like they want a point guard, but with Jennings gone, I can’t see them reaching for Ty Lawson or Eric Maynor. In Teague were talking about a guy that was in the Naismith race for a while last season. I think he goes here.

14. Phoenix Suns

Earl Clark-Power Forward, L’ville

I’ve seen Clark for a few years, he’s a guy like DeRozen, that when he wants to play can be the best player on the floor. He’s developed a jump shot and can handle most guys down low. Clark just seems like a Steve Kerr kind of guy.

to be continued tomorrow.